OVERVIEW

India's most-loved beach destination, Goa has much more than sea, sand, seafood and, of course, the Sun, to keep one coming back for more. Goa's distinctive Portuguese heritage, natural beauty, buzzing nightlife and a very interesting culinary scene makes for a heady mix, one that you cannot resist. Visited all around the year, it sees a steady footfall of tourists from all over the world.

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Goa's palm-fringed beaches and blue seas have made it one of India's most popular tourist destinations. Yet, there's much more to Goa than its beaches. The state's unique Portuguese heritage, beautiful landscapes, spice plantations, and buzzing restaurants, nightclubs and markets, make it one of a kind.

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The Goan capital city of Panaji is centred around the Our Lady of Immaculate Conception Church (pictured here). Its wide, tree-lined roads, whitewashed churches and Portuguese-inspired houses give the city a distinct look and atmosphere.

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The neighbourhood of Fontainhas in Panaji has been described as the old Latin Quarter of the city. Its narrow streets are speckled with well-kept Indo-Portuguese mansions, that transport visitors to another era.

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Goan cuisine makes ample use of fresh seafood, local spices, and ingredients such as coconut and kokum. Popular dishes include pork vindaloo (pictured here), xacuti, pork sorpotel, balchao and fish curry.

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Goa's most famous for its fresh seafood, but the state also has a buzzing food scene. From restaurants serving traditional Goan recipes to fine dining eateries that offer cuisine from around the world, Goa has it all.

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Goa is also famous for its numerous flea markets, which have stalls offering everything from cheap clothing to junk jewellery to whacky leather accessories. The Anjuna flea market, held every Wednesday, is the most popular among these.

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Goa's reputation as a partying centre has only grown bigger and better over the last few years. Its beachside nightclubs are known for their dusk-to-dawn parties. Every year in December, it also plays host to music festivals such as Sunburn.

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Goa's long coastline still carries the remains of forts built by its various rulers over centuries. Chapora Fort (pictured here) was built by Adil Shah, the ruler of Bijapur, on the Chapora river near Vagator beach.

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Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Old Goa was the capital of the Portuguese empire in India before Panjim. It still contains several grand churches, which were built during the 16th and 17th centuries. The Basillica of Bom Jesus, pictured here, is the best-known among these.

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FAST FACTS

Goa Featured Guides (29)

It’s understandably hard to tear yourself away from the beach if you’re only visiting Goa for a day, but it’s trouble worth taking. A first-hand experience of the state’s Portuguese heritage, waterfro...More

Whether you're into quirky accommodations or spiffy five-star suites with unbeatable view, a humongous range of hotels in Goa will leave you satiated. And if you’re looking for a frill-free beach-side shack, a mid-range resort further inland, a luxurious property with all the trimmings of the city’s Indo-Portuguese heritage or a budget hotel perched on the beach - Goa promises to meet all your expectations on that front too. Situated extremely close to the Varca Beach, the Zuri White Sands Goa Resort & Casino offers the best of both worlds: luxury (and privacy), and a vast assortment of amenities. Check into Paradise Inn, close to the Miramar Beach, in the historic enclave of Fontainhas, which offers air-conditioned deluxe rooms. Choose from our exhaustive list of hotels, shacks, resorts and home stays to make a well-informed decision that will heighten your experience. If you’re travelling to Goa during peak season, we suggest you book well in advance so you get exactly what you’re looking for.

Thanks to its status as the party hub of India and a natural paradise of beach and forts, Goa has no dearth of hotels and resorts. The city has an impressive lineup of accommodations to suit all pockets ranging from ultra luxury to a backpacker’s haven.

From shoreline shacks and old-school favourites to riverside restaurants and candle-lit fine dining—there’s no lack of restaurants in Goa to put down your sun hat and indulge in a hearty meal. Food in Goa, much like the land itself, is a vast treasure trove of culinary delicacies. Famous for its seafood, the beach town has numerous restaurants offering everything from experimental fusion to classic, home-style Indian fare. Other than its famous seafood offerings, Goa is just the place to gorge over Konkani, Portuguese and more global fare as well. If you like sweet breakfasts, these cafés and restaurants have a huge selection of delicious French toasts, pancakes, and more, that never fail to impress the guests. Fast emerging as a wellness destination, it has recently seen a mushrooming of food joints serving organic, vegan and gluten-free food too. Plenty of choices for the foodies to rejoice, right?

From sun-kissed beaches to charming old quarters, Goa boasts of a variety of places to be explored by tourists and travellers. Goa has stunning beaches and historic quarters that are ripe with culture and, perhaps, you may get the “opportunity” to come across a spooky place during your travels. The Dudhsagar Falls and Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary are a huge draw, as are the Goan forts. Whether it is the historical forts reflecting Goa’s rich Portuguese heritage or the numerous churches exhibiting intricate architecture–Goa has it all. From being geographically beautiful and culturally rich to playing host to some of the most popular festivals and events in the country, the city of Goa offers something to all kinds of travellers. The place is a melting pot of various cultures and traditions, a factor that adds to its awesomeness and uniqueness. All in all, it is worth experiencing a state that offers all charms of India’s West coast, in its own way.

It is time to get over Baga, Anjuna and Vagator, for there is no dearth of offbeat beaches in Goa. Solitary stretches of sand and sun that are not swamped by DSLR hugging tourists or incessant cries from hawkers, who frequent most of the beaches in Goa. If solitude ranks at the top of your vacation priorities the next time you visit this sunshine state, we will spill the beans for you, for we know all about the most offbeat beaches of Goa.

Aside from beach strolls, there are countless things to do in Goa. India’s favourite beach destination is swarming with sights and sounds, all waiting to be discovered. So, once you’re done soaking up the sun and sand, there are a host of places to be discovered, things to do, sights to see and food to eat. Score awesome experiences of the wild side of Goa, the fests and carnivals, the adventure activities and a host of other amazing activities taking place during the off and peak season. From exploring the Indo-Portuguese heritage still prevalent in Old Goa and hopping through museums, to getting adventurous with a whole bunch of exciting water sports and eating your way through countless delicious seafood—we tell you how to make the most of your trip to this beautiful beachside destination. Consider this your guide to having the best time in Goa ever.

Whether you’re visiting for leisure or work, make sure you set aside a little time to go shopping in Goa. From flea markets selling beachwear, beads and flip-flops to food markets where you can pick up anything from Goan sausages and seafood to vegetables and fruit—Goa has a lot on offer. It is also a great place to shop for haute couture. You’ll find a treasure of both local and international fashion designers with boutiques selling high-end fashion products and accessories. We've been admirers of Sosa as well as Sacha’s Shop for a long time now, and we still can't decide what we love more: the high-end selection or the chic décor. It's like we died and went to design heaven. The Gemma Carver Studio is the place for a bespoke outfit for your wedding; and you’ll find cool accessories, clothing, real gold and silver jewellery and other cool stuff designed by rocker Mick Jagger’s daughter Jade, at the Jade Jagger studio perched on Ashwem Beach.

If there is one place in India that is rightly famous for its nightlife, it is Goa. While the period around Christmas and New Year is undoubtedly peak tourist season, there is enough going throughout the year, and Goa’s nightlife is absolutely sizzling. From music festivals and visiting DJs playing at local clubs to a thriving live music scene and snazzy new hotspots for the after hours—Goa has an unbeatable ambiance and an unrivalled energy. Being one of the few Indian states in India where casinos are legal, Goa is an ideal escape for people intent on trying their luck in gambling. While the rest of the residents are in bed, you can rave it up at the casinos and clubs, and entertain yourself to a finely tuned techno/techno house soundtrack by resident DJs and more. Although you can enjoy a night out by just wandering into one of the beach-side shacks, we have found the hottest spots where you can party till the wee hours of the morning.

From the stunning hilltops of Panchgani and Mumbai’s historic monuments to Mahabaleshwar’s lush greenery and Hampi’s historic spots, there are several weekend getaways from Goa for your respite. If you are done exploring Goa beaches, you can just choose to laze around amidst hills or can go on a trekking adventure in Kudremukh or go ahead and explore less-crowded beaches at Ganpatipule, the options are many. All these locales are packed with interesting activities that will make for a great weekend escape from Goa. So take a break from beaches and go on discovering new destinations packed with nature’s wonder. These weekend getaways from Goa not only offer options of natural escape and region’s history, but will also have some lesser-visited destinations and attractions of the country.

Goa, the beach paradise on earth, is surrounded with places that are equally interesting and fun to visit and make for perfect weekend getaways. From the beautiful Panchgani and historically rich Hampi to fantastic Kudremukh trek and gorgeous Mahabaleshwar, there are several weekend getaways from Goa to make your weekend fun and frolic.

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